About the Center for Discovery & Innovation
The Center for Discovery and Innovation (CDI) was founded to leverage the vast clinical resources of one of the region’s largest health care systems—Hackensack Meridian Health. As an academic accelerator, CDI fosters a unique translational ecosystem where scientists, clinicians, and life science companies collaborate to rapidly move breakthrough science into clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.
CDI is distinguished by its strong partnerships across HMH’s 18 hospitals, its on-site state-of-the-art R&D facilities, and close ties with the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine. Key collaborators also include the John Theurer Cancer Center and the NCI-designated Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Through integrated teams of researchers and physicians, CDI focuses on addressing unmet clinical needs by developing new diagnostics, treatments, and preventive strategies. Its agile, incentive-driven model is designed to translate science into real-world solutions—often redefining standards of care and leading to the creation of marketable drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics.
Our Mission
Our mission is to develop and rapidly translate innovations in biomedical sciences to better prevent and treat life-threatening diseases.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be a proven leader in the innovative application of discovery science to improve human health for people with cancer, infectious diseases, behavioral health and other disabling and chronic conditions.
Our Research Focus Areas
Cancer: Hematologic malignancies & solid tumors
Diving into the mechanisms of cancer, how it develops and evolves, and what new treatments could extend and save lives.
Infectious Diseases: High threat bacterial, fungal, and viral infections
Better understanding, and treating, pathogens and germs which cause disease, from those with pandemic potential to opportunistic infections.
Immunology: Cell-based and other immunotherapies
Discovering new horizons for cancer treatments and better vaccines,and better understanding T cell biology
Behavioral and Neurocognitive Health
Assessing genetic and epigenetic changes which impact the brain, behavior, and disease
Our Site
The 116-acre campus is located on the former site of Hoffmann-La Roche in Clifton and Nutley, N.J., and the CDI resides at the former home of the Hoffmann-La Roche Institute of Molecular Biology, “The Birthplace of Interferon,” which was a renowned global center for medical innovation from the 1960s to the 1990s. The CDI continues and extends this legacy as a life sciences hub devoted to science innovation, medical education, and biotechnology development. The site also includes the Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, the North American headquarters for Eisai Inc., and the regional hub for Quest Diagnostics.
CDI Brochures
- CDI Brochure (PDF)
- Translational Profile Brochure (PDF)